2. How do you feel when you're doing the thing you're good at? very excited and happy
3. How would you feel if people wouldn't let you do the thing you're good at? sad....really sad
Chapter 1
1. What problems or conflicts are presented in chapter one? Tao needing to find a rabbit is an obvious one; identify at least two more.
he needs to be respected and to get people to let him paint
2. Predict the resolution of each conflict. maybe Tao will hunt alot and get respected for feeding many people maybe he will be a chosen one
Chapter 2
What two important events happen in this chapter? he is alone in the woods and he meets a wolf dog
Chapter 3
1. What do Tao and Ram learn to do together? hunt
2. What decision does Tao tell Volt? to hunt alone
3. Look at Tao's decisions and actions from Volt's perspective. Pretend you are Volt. Write a first person paragraph explaining how you feel.
That Tao!! He is so annoying I try to let him live here and he loses food?? There are people starving here! I don't care if he starves hunting alone. I've got my own problems.
Chapter 4
In a good paragraph, describe Tao's mother. Start with an interest grabber. Then write your topic sentence. Give three details or examples to support your thesis. Use a quotation from the chapter.
She would have made a great woman. She had a child that was born lame and she cared for him anyway. She even stayed in a cave so no one could hurt her child.
Chapter 5
1. Which two animals does Tao try to draw? Ram and a horse
2. Which is easier for him and why? Ram because Ram is right next to him
Chapter 6
1. Graybeard realizes that Tao has broken two taboos of his clan. What are they? hunting with a wolf dog and hunting in the slough
2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet? the cave paintings
3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging? he is a good man
Chapter 7
Write your reaction to the last paragraph in the chapter. Do you agree or disagree with Graybeard? Is what he says true for those times, but not now? Or, is the reverse true: was it not true then, but true now? I'm not sure, but neither really
Chapter 8
An important theme in this novel is that people should follow their dreams and do what they believe is right, even if they don't follow their society's expected ways.
The author examines this theme in a stone age setting. Imagine a similar situation today.
What situation did you imagine?
A firefighter wants to adopt a child.
In the situation you imagined, should the person follow his or her dreams or should they follow society's rules? Give your opinion.
He should not adopt a child because he will be away a lot.
Chapter 9
Why do you think Graybeard changed his mind? Maybe he thinks Tao is patient enough to learn
What does this tell you about his character? he is flexible
Chapter 10
1. What are the "mountains-that-walk"? woolly mamoths
2. What almost happened to Tao? he almost got trampled
Chapter 11
Do you think Graybeard is a good teacher? Why? Yes, because a lot of teachers are afraid to say you are wrong and Graybeard just says it.
Would you like to have been taught a skill by him? Why? Yes, I hate it when I do things wrong and no one tells me.
Chapter 12
1. Name some of the ingredients used to make paint. Which surprised you most? Animal fat, red clay, brown clay. Definitely animal fat
2. Why is Tao afraid at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 13
1. Even if Ram had succeeded in hunting the deer, do you think it was a good idea of Tao's to "show off" his dog's ability to hunt? Explain.
REALLY,REALLY BAD IDEA!!!! he could get killed for taboo or be even more of an outcast.
2. Predict what will happen next. If you've read ahead, invent an alternate scene.
he will probably get caught.
Chapter 14
1. Why does Tao cross the river? he hears a howl and can tell its Ram
2. What decision does Graybeard reach? that Tao will be the new shaman because he is dying.
Chapter 15
What problem does Tao have by the end of the chapter? he thinks he is lost in the caves.
Chapter 16
Look at the website of the Laxcaux Caves Find a picture that resembles the one Tao is painting. Copy it as your answer to this question.
Chapter 17
Wow! What a chapter! What was your reaction? Tense? Surprised? You predicted it? Write a paragraph describing your reaction.
I think Volt was being nice when he saw Tao in the trees. Also I think Volt was mean to him and showing others he was not treating him specially so no one would find out. Iwasn't too suprised because every time I read a book I always try to guess the twist at the end and that was one of my guesses.
Chapter 18
Why does Tao feel he needs to go to the Mountain People? he wasn't accepted there originally so he is going to prove himself.
Questions:
Prewrite
1. What are you good at? painting
2. How do you feel when you're doing the thing you're good at? very excited and happy
3. How would you feel if people wouldn't let you do the thing you're good at? sad....really sad
Chapter 1
1. What problems or conflicts are presented in chapter one? Tao needing to find a rabbit is an obvious one; identify at least two more.
he needs to be respected and to get people to let him paint
2. Predict the resolution of each conflict. maybe Tao will hunt alot and get respected for feeding many people maybe he will be a chosen one
Chapter 2
What two important events happen in this chapter? he is alone in the woods and he meets a wolf dog
Chapter 3
1. What do Tao and Ram learn to do together? hunt
2. What decision does Tao tell Volt? to hunt alone
3. Look at Tao's decisions and actions from Volt's perspective. Pretend you are Volt. Write a first person paragraph explaining how you feel.
That Tao!! He is so annoying I try to let him live here and he loses food?? There are people starving here! I don't care if he starves hunting alone. I've got my own problems.
Chapter 4
In a good paragraph, describe Tao's mother. Start with an interest grabber. Then write your topic sentence. Give three details or examples to support your thesis. Use a quotation from the chapter.
She would have made a great woman. She had a child that was born lame and she cared for him anyway. She even stayed in a cave so no one could hurt her child.
Chapter 5
1. Which two animals does Tao try to draw? Ram and a horse
2. Which is easier for him and why? Ram because Ram is right next to him
Chapter 6
1. Graybeard realizes that Tao has broken two taboos of his clan. What are they? hunting with a wolf dog and hunting in the slough
2. Which taboo doesn't he know about yet? the cave paintings
3. Graybeard describes Volt differently than we have. What aspects of Volt's character is Graybeard acknowledging? he is a good man
Chapter 7
Write your reaction to the last paragraph in the chapter. Do you agree or disagree with Graybeard? Is what he says true for those times, but not now? Or, is the reverse true: was it not true then, but true now? I'm not sure, but neither really
Chapter 8
An important theme in this novel is that people should follow their dreams and do what they believe is right, even if they don't follow their society's expected ways.
The author examines this theme in a stone age setting. Imagine a similar situation today.
What situation did you imagine?
A firefighter wants to adopt a child.
In the situation you imagined, should the person follow his or her dreams or should they follow society's rules? Give your opinion.
He should not adopt a child because he will be away a lot.
Chapter 9
Why do you think Graybeard changed his mind? Maybe he thinks Tao is patient enough to learn
What does this tell you about his character? he is flexible
Chapter 10
1. What are the "mountains-that-walk"? woolly mamoths
2. What almost happened to Tao? he almost got trampled
Chapter 11
Do you think Graybeard is a good teacher? Why? Yes, because a lot of teachers are afraid to say you are wrong and Graybeard just says it.
Would you like to have been taught a skill by him? Why? Yes, I hate it when I do things wrong and no one tells me.
Chapter 12
1. Name some of the ingredients used to make paint. Which surprised you most? Animal fat, red clay, brown clay. Definitely animal fat
2. Why is Tao afraid at the end of the chapter?
Chapter 13
1. Even if Ram had succeeded in hunting the deer, do you think it was a good idea of Tao's to "show off" his dog's ability to hunt? Explain.
REALLY,REALLY BAD IDEA!!!! he could get killed for taboo or be even more of an outcast.
2. Predict what will happen next. If you've read ahead, invent an alternate scene.
he will probably get caught.
Chapter 14
1. Why does Tao cross the river? he hears a howl and can tell its Ram
2. What decision does Graybeard reach? that Tao will be the new shaman because he is dying.
Chapter 15
What problem does Tao have by the end of the chapter? he thinks he is lost in the caves.
Chapter 16
Look at the website of the Laxcaux Caves Find a picture that resembles the one Tao is painting. Copy it as your answer to this question.
Chapter 17
Wow! What a chapter! What was your reaction? Tense? Surprised? You predicted it? Write a paragraph describing your reaction.
I think Volt was being nice when he saw Tao in the trees. Also I think Volt was mean to him and showing others he was not treating him specially so no one would find out. Iwasn't too suprised because every time I read a book I always try to guess the twist at the end and that was one of my guesses.
Chapter 18
Why does Tao feel he needs to go to the Mountain People? he wasn't accepted there originally so he is going to prove himself.